Walk Now for Autism Speaks

When I announced on Face Book that we had a big announcement I never imagined the amount of feed backs we would receive or suspense I would generate. Really I wanted to announce this on April 1st because that day is the beginning of National Autism Awareness month. So now I am going to tell you so it doesn't get any bigger and there there will be no rumors going around Kyle that I am pregnant . Which was a good guess by the way :).

Sooo here it is...We have started a Walk for Autism Speaks team and would love for all of you to join us! This is a great way to raise money for a cause that is very close to our hearts. Four years ago, I was sitting in my car at the post office with my children and I never imagined how much our family's dynamics were about to change. Our daughter Hannah who could walk, talk, and do just about everything any other three year old could do stopped talking that day and very shortly after stopped making eye contact. Then I remembered a couple of weeks before that she stuttered almost every word that came out and she was very distant, which then led to this massive breakdown in the post office parking lot. From there I called the doctor and got an appointment immediately and the next few days it was test after test. The outcome...Autism. Fast forward to today, Hannah is a thriving eight year old who is very outgoing, smart, and caring but not without the occasional setbacks. We would not have the Hannah we have today if it wasn't for early intervention.
I know and am very grateful that our family was just skimmed by this dreadful disorder. For those that don't know Autism is a spectrum disorder and not everyone that has it acts like Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. Many people with Autism can be highly functional. These are the children that could grow up to be your future Bill Gates, Bobby Fischer and even Keanu Reeves(that one is a shocker to me). Unfortunately there is the low functioning side of the spectrum which can be very expensive and taxing on the families. According to the National Autism Association the divorce rate with families affected by autism is 80%. That does not surprise me with all the costs and isolation the primary caregiver is put in.
As of today we are constantly fighting for government funding, the insurance companies and for the stigma to be lifted. This is our chance to make these tasks easier to achieve. Please join the Royal Walkers (once again Robert's idea lol) on Saturday October 9th, 2010 in Round Rock Texas to walk in the Autism Speaks 5k. Below is the link to our Team's information...Hope to see you there!!

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/austin/royalfam